Six days ago, the New Orleans Pelicans suffered the worst regular season homecourt loss in franchise history to the Detroit Pistons.
The Pelicans got another shot at the Pistons on Sunday, this time at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.
The result wasn’t embarrassing this time, but the Pelicans still found themselves on the wrong side. This time, a 136-130 loss to the Pistons.
“I though the effort was there,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. “The guys played together and shared the ball offensively and that was fun to watch. We still came up short to win the game.”
CJ McCollum finished with 40 points. Jordan Hawkins scored 25 points, matching his season high scored against the Denver Nuggets in December.
It was a valiant effort by the short-handed Pelicans, but it still wasn’t enough to erase what happened to them six days ago in the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans lost to the Pistons 127-81 last Monday, which tied the record for worst regular season loss in franchise history.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff predicted before Sunday’s game that it would likely be closer this time around.
“It’s a matter of respect,” Bickerstaff said. “These are NBA players with NBA skillsets that have accomplished a lot. You look at CJ McCollum, Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk. Up and down the roster these are guys who have done things in this league at a high level. You know if you give them opportunities and take them lightly, they can do what it takes to beat you. They are going to come out with a sense of purpose and attitude because of the way we played the other night to not let it happen again.”
Nobody was more up to the task than McCollum, who had one of the worst shooting nights of his NBA career in last week’s loss. He shot 1 of 15 from the floor, 0-for-7 from 3-pointers and 1-for-5 from the free throw line to finish with 3 points. He responded in a big way with his fourth game of 40 points or more this season. He also had seven assists. For the first time in franchise history, the Pelicans had four different players to record seven or more assists in a game. Jose Alvarado, Kelly Olynyk and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had eight assists each. The 35 total assist was two shy of the team’s season high.
“It’s the way we want to play,” Green said. “We want to share the basketball.”
The Pelicans (19-53) gave themselves a chance despite playing without three players from last week’s game. Zion Williamson (low back contusion), Yves Missi (right hip soreness) and Trey Murphy (out for remainder of season with a torn labrum and partially torn rotator cuff in right shoulder) were all missing.
The Pistons (40-32), meanwhile, were without starters Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway, Jr.
The Pelicans return home and will host the Philadelphia 76ers Monday.
“Now we want to win the games that are available,” Green said. “This was a winnable game for us.”